This is the blog where I write everything that inspires and blesses my daily life. But also about my everyday struggle living with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Sannel Larson

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

The Language of Flowers - Floriography

"If friends are the flowers in the garden of life, you are an entire bouquet!"

Out of the blue yesterday, I received the most beautiful bunch of flowers delivered to my home. What a delightful surprise it was but also bewilderment. It was not even my birthday! Who would possible send me flowers? As I opened the bouquet and saw the beautiful flower arrangement of different shades of purple tulips in a Chrystal vase along with a darling teddy bear, tears of joy went down my cheek as I read the sweet card. Such a beautiful act of thoughtfulness from a dear and beautiful friend. I'm truly blessed to have such loving and caring friends in my life.

Did my friend send me a secret message with those particular flowers?
Hmm. . .no, I'm pretty sure there was not a hidden message like that in the beautiful purple-colored tulips, since according to the language of flowers, called Floriography, tulips stands for great lovers.
No, the only message with those lovely tulips, was the message of friendship from a caring, dear friend's heart.
We all should be blessed with friends like that!

However, we should definitely not let the language of flowers rule our decision which flowers we should give to someone. Tulips to me means Spring, and the perfect flower to give to someone like me, who when I look out through the window right now, can see only snow, ice and even more snow. . .
Because of my dear friend, I now have a little bit of Spring in my living room. Thank you, dearest friend!

Say it with flowers!

I love flowers! Flowers are such a beauty among us and makes our lives all the more colorful and fragrant. Flowers inspires us, makes us happy and let us appreciate the simple things in life. But did you know that each flower actually carries its own secret message? Now, we should not take this language of flowers too serious. We should give to someone the flowers we find to be lovely. However, it's fun facts to know, so I have put together a list of different flowers and their meanings.

The secret is hidden in the flower

The flowers has a language that's called Floriography. Flowers and trees have been given its own meaning and for centuries, secret and delicate messages have been passed through the various blossoms. Floriography was born in ancient Greek and Roman culture, and spread later on to Turkey. It became a Turkish tradition to send a “Persian Selam”, a bouquet with a coded message to show your attraction, feelings or even your love to someone.

Gardenia - I am secretly in love with you!

I find you to be lovely

The language of flowers

In the early 1700's, the English Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, wife of the British ambassador to Constantinople, used this Turkish custom of using Floriography in her love letters to her sweetheart back home. This language of flowers soon became a well-known and popular way of communication. By the late 1700's, "flower dictionaries" started to pop up across England.

Viscaria - Will you dance with me?

With flowers you show your true feelings

During the Victorian era in the early 1800's, the Victorians chose their bouquets carefully. Because In this era of time, there were strict restrains on courtship. In fact, openly declaring any emotions you felt towards someone was not appropriate.

Since romantic and passionate talk between a man and a woman would not be allowed, flowers gave them the secret language to show heartfelt feelings that would otherwise go unspoken. This was also an ingenious way for secret lovers to communicate with each other, hoping that no one would figure out their hidden affair.

The ribbon part of the secret message

The flower choice was only a part of the message. The different combinations of flowers had varied meanings and when a flower was used alone, it meant something entirely different.

The ribbon was also part of the secret message. The manner in which the ribbon was tied around the bouquet, as well as the choice of ribbon, sent different messages. Even how the bouquet was presented meant varied things.

Flower over the heart meant love

The Victorian women used to attach small bouquets they had received to their clothing. In fact, how it was fasten had itself its own meaning. Placing the bouquet to the front of her clothing, friendship was all she felt for the giver. But if she attached the flower over her heart - it meant the woman felt love towards the person who gave her the flowers.

Left or right makes a difference

So the next time you're planning to bring flowers to an anniversary, Valentine's Day or Mothers day. Or perhaps you like to tell someone “ I'll never forget you”, “Thank you for last night” or “ I'm your secret admirer” you better make sure you don't send them the wrong message in your flowers. That could be very awkward and lead to a complete disaster.

Oh, and by the way, even how you hand over the bouquet sends a message as well. Flowers held in your left hand means no, and when you hand over a bouquet with your right hand it means a definite yes.

Calla Lily - stands for magnificence, beauty, purity and innocence. The white lily makes a perfect choice of flower in a wedding bouquet.

Cactus - Endurance and bravery

The Carnation

Carnation - symbolizes beauty and pride

Red ~ love, admiration and pride

Pink ~ love of a woman or a mother

Purple ~ capriciousness

Yellow ~ rejection or disappointment

White ~ pure love and innocence

Striped ~ refusal

The Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum symbolizes fidelity, joy, optimism and long life.

Red ~ conveys love

White ~ truth and loyal love

Yellow ~ slighted love

Camellia - The tea plant

Camellia, Red ~ You’re a flame in my heart

Camellia, White ~ You’re adorable

Daffodil indicate chivalry. It symbolize rebirth, new beginnings and eternal life. It also stands for unanswered love. A single daffodil foretells a misfortune, while a bunch of daffodils show happiness and joy.

Daisy symbolizes innocence and purity. It conveys loyal love and “I will never tell”.

Delphinium, Hybrid express generosity, fun and lightness.

Freesia symbolizes innocence and thoughtfulness.

Gardenia I am secretly in love with you.

Gerbera express cheerfulness.

Gladiolus symbolizes strength of character, honor and faithfulness.

Hydrangea expresses heartfelt emotions. It can be used to show gratitude for being understood. However, it can also symbolize frigidity, brutality and heartlessness.

Heather symbolizes admiration, solitude and beauty.

White Heather ~ protection and indicates that wishes will come true.

Pink Heather ~ Wishing good luck.

Yellow Iris stands for passion

The beautiful Iris

Iris stands for; Your Friendship means so much to me

Purple Iris ~ compliments and wisdom

Blue Iris ~ faith and hope

Yellow Iris ~ passion

white Iris ~ purity

Lilac

Lilac symbolizes youthful innocence and confidence.

White lilac ~ humility and innocence

Field lilac ~ charity

Mauve lilac~ first love, do you still love me?

Mauve Lilac - Do you still love me?

Lily

Lily symbolizes purity and refined beauty.

White ~ modesty and virginity

orange ~ passion

yellow ~ gaiety

Lily of the Valley ~ sweetness and purity of heart

The Easter lily ~ The Virgin Mary

Orchid is a symbol of the exotic beauty. It symbolizes thoughtfulness and mature charm. It also indicate glorious femininity.

Orchid stands for exotic beauty

Orchid stands for exotic beauty.

Peony symbolizes bashfulness and compassion. It stands for a happy life, happy marriage, good health and prosperity. It can also be used to express indignation or shame.

Petunia - anger and resentment.

Protea stands for change and transformation. It signifies daring and resourcefulness.

Queen Anne's Lace symbolizes a haven or sanctuary. It also signifies delicateness and complexity.

Petunia - Anger and Resentment

Ranunculus symbolizes radiant charm

Ranunculus - Radiant charm.

Rose signifies love. It symbolizes love in its various forms based on color, variety and number.

Snapdragon shows strength and graciousness. Its negative meanings include presumption and deception.

Statice is symbolic of remembrance. It also indicates sympathy and success.

Stock symbolizes lasting beauty and a happy life. It is indicative of bonds of affection and is symbolic of promptness.

Sunflower is symbolic for pure thoughts, adoration and dedication. It stands also for arrogance.

Sweet Pea indicates delicate bliss and pleasure. This flower is symbolic of departure after having a good time.

Tulip - Symbol of The Perfect Lover

Tulip - The perfect lover.

Viscaria - Will you dance with me?

Wisteria stands for youth and poetry.

Yarrow means healing.

Zinnia symbolizes standing affection.

Sunflower signifies pure thoughts, dedication and adoration. But watch out, it could also be a symbol for arrogance.

Dark pink rose says; Thank You!

I thank all of my friends and followers who left comments when this was published on HP.Your supportive and kind words brought me so much joy to my heart. I love you all!

Please, click on their links and discover their most interesting and beautiful writing.Thank you and God Bless,

Sannel

Just gorgeous beautiful Sannel. You have taught me things here with the floriography. Gosh but all the meanings. Wonderful research and hub! Will you accept this Viscaria and step out on the dance floor my friend? Or how about some Heather as we sip our Camellia tea?

...well you definitely speak my language when you speak flowers my lovely Sannel although I doubt very much that 'any one of them' could ever come close to capturing your 'glow' of putting a world class hub together such as this one - lake erie time ontario canada 6:19pm like putting a beautiful bouquet on a table I will put this hub on my FB home page

Another scented page to fall upon your beauty. The flower messages were so heart revealing to so many back in those periods, can you imagine the fun one would have with these messages. I send you this flower Camellia, Red ~ may the wick and flame stay lit and grow brighter. I love flames, especially those within our souls. Peace, hugs and blessings to you Sannel.

I know not the words to describe the passion emitted from the images of these delicate flower in there many forms. The photographer's choices are true reflections of life with life, yet the shadows framed offer a dash of intrigue.
I am ready to sign up for your online courses on the secrets of chivalry and interlude, Romanticism - it's History, Arts and Philosophy, and finally impact on literature. Will there be guest speakers?
A delightful entourage of nature's beauty presented creatively while enlightening the learner's curiosity.

Hi Sannel - The most wonderful hub on the symbolic meaning of beautiful flowers. It's interesting how many times we ask ourselves what the most appropriate flower might be for such and such occassion and person. I love this article and will keep it handy. Take care :-)

Well, this is another excellent and thorough hub, Sannel! I had no idea the meanings behind all these blossoms. You certainly know your flowers and your love for them shows. I know who to ask, if I have any questions about flowers! The photos were gorgeous too! Thanks for sharing!

Flowers are indispensable part of our celebrations and ceremonies. They are widely used in our social and religious life: birth, nuptials and even deaths.
And flowers have meaning, they symbolize different things.
Sannel, you have done a wonderful job here. I feel so delighted to read this

Wow! This hub was so lovingly and beautifully assembled from the lay out to the stunning photos to the well researched meanings of the flowers and other common etiquette.
This was a fascinating read and I voted it up across the board except for funny and am sharing it with others as it seems the perfect hub to read and view in springtime when so many of these flowers are starting to bloom or are being planted.

Hi Sannel, it's exciting to see this beautiful new blog of yours. And it is beautiful, so simply and tastefully done. It really does reflect you, classy! I'm looking forward to more excellent posts like this one. Best of luck with this new venture, my dear friend!

Hi Rick! Thank you for your lovely compliment. Yes, I'm quite excited with this new blog, since it will give me a chance to write about anything that triggers my imagination, and not be restricted to poetry only. As long as I have loyal friends such as yourself following me, I will be so happy, because it's friends like you, who encourage me to go on writing, even when I'm in pain, and to me that's the best medicine I can ever get. Thank you, my beautiful friend.

So wonderful to see you, my dear Rasma! I believe both you and I need some colorful flowers to brighten up our cold winter days in this part of the world. I'm glad you enjoyed your stroll through my garden. Thank you for stopping by.Hugs,Sannel

Your display of flowers carefully and beautifully worded in this blog is outstanding. I could see them all in my minds eye as well as their scent stroking my senses with delight. This blog is beautiful as are you my friend. Thank you for the mention of my name, I support your work, as you are a brilliant writer and poet and one must read your work to fully appreciate the depth of your writings and love for life. Hugs

Vincent, my beautiful friend, you truly make me feel very special - Thank you! Knowing what a brilliant and admired writer you are, I feel humbled by your wonderful and most generous compliment on my own writing.Thank you, dear friend for your beautiful support and for your lovely friendship.Hugs,Sannel

Hello, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam remarks?If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it's driving me insane so any assistance is very much appreciated.

Sannel's World of Poetry

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Sannel Larson - Art Surrogate for Greece

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Sannel Larson

Hello, my name is Sannel and welcome to my world in a nutshell. Writing and illustrating is my life, and through this site, I'll share with you my interests and thoughts on life, and that could be about absolutely anything and everything. If you are interested in poetry, please visit my other blog " Sannel's World of Poetry" and take a look at some of my work. Enjoy your stay here, and I hope to see you soon again. Hugs, Sannel